Elderly man pulled from inside his burning Eggertsville home

A pair of Eggertsville Hose Co. volunteer firefighters went into a smoky, burning home to pull the 74-year-old homeowner to safety Tuesday morning, Amherst fire officials reported.

Joseph Carr, of 1537 Eggert Road, was taken to Erie County Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation, authorities said. His condition was not available Tuesday afternoon.

“Any time you have to go into a smoky house, with fire conditions, and pull someone out, it’s dangerous and pretty dramatic,” one Amherst fire official said of the rescue.

Authorities said they believe Carr was conscious at the time he was rescued.

A neighbor on Eggert Road, south of Longmeadow Road, called to report the fire at 9:56 a.m., and the first arriving firefighters from the Eggertsville Hose Co. reported heavy smoke coming from the home, according to the Erie County Fire Wire. Fire officials later called for a second alarm, bringing additional firefighters from the Snyder and North Bailey fire companies.

Damage was estimated at $150,000. Investigators late Tuesday still were trying to pinpoint the cause of the fire.